If there was anything to take from qualifying day at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, it’s how impressive all four Yamahas are looking this weekend.
We shouldn’t be surprised by Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) blistering speed, even though taking pole just 11 days after undergoing arm pump surgery is unbelievably impressive. The rookie took his second MotoGP™ pole position of the season with Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales setting the third fastest time in Q2 to initially join him on the front row.
However, an incident involving the duo at the end of the session has led to Viñales being handed a three-place grid penalty, but this isn’t such bad news for Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli. The Italian progressed through Q1 and qualified fourth, but Morbidelli will now line up on the front row for the second time this season. The Petronas boys sandwiching Repsol Honda Team's Marc Marquez on Row 1.
Also benefitting from his teammate’s penalty is Valentino Rossi. The nine-time World Champion has enjoyed a great weekend so far in Barcelona and will launch from the front of the second row in P4. The Doctor was more than happy with Yamaha's pace this weekend.
It was four out of five, but now it’s four out of six for Yamaha in Barcelona. Will we see the first all-Yamaha podium since Phillip Island 2014? Quartararo, Morbidelli, Rossi and Viñales will all be confident they can spray the bubbly come Sunday afternoon.